we dont have an smtp server setup here so this is the route i must take?

thanks!

To send an email to an "foreign" recepient you do not necessarily need access to an "own" SMTP server: If TCP:25 (SMTP) is open outbound, you should be able to directly send to the RECIPIENT's mail (smtp) server. There is an UDF doing so for you, you can also use BLAT.EXE for such purposes (I use that blat.exe quite often to send status emails from customers to myself)

Of course you can use autoit to script the actions requiered to add an attachment just "playing back" the actions you would do reguarly in the Notes client. The "Autoit Window Info Tool" is your friend here